Apparatus for supporting lawn-tennis nets and the like



June 14 1927. 1632553 M, R. LANE APPARATUS FCJR SUPPORTING LAWN TENNIS NETS AND THE .LIKE

Filed Sept. 26. 1925 WITNESSES INVENTOR:

v I Jfloses'RLanc,

BY W

TTORNEYS.

Patented June 14, 1927..

UNITED STATES.

, MOSES n LANE, or tmvrons, rnnnsvtvamaf j i 1 presence, non surronmme Lawn-mums NETS in]; menu;

- -A'pp'lication filed September 26', 1925., seriaino. 55,701.

This invention relates to apparatus useful more particularly in supporting la'lwn tennis nets, although, as willappear from'the detailed description hereinafter, it is as read- .ily adaptable to other uses, e. g., in support ing screens, shades-and the like. Generally speaking, my apparatus is similar to that shown'and described in UQ S. Patent No.

1,224,388, granted to George Lane and dated- May 1, 1917, in that it comprises a net tensioning device capable of being bodily shifted along one of the supportingposts to compensate for the permanentstret'ch or set of the tennis net from time to time.

iVith the patented structure, difficulty was often experienced in preventing slipping of the net-tensioning device, especially while manipulating the same to stretch the net; and one of the objects of my invention is to overcome the annoyance noted, and this I accomplish by provisions for interlock as between the relatively shiftable parts to'in sure positively against slippage.

The present lnvention 1s further directed to various structural refinements which Wlll beindividually manifest from the following description. V

\Vit h reference to the illustrations herewith, Fig. I is a fragmentary elevation of a tennis net 7 organization conveniently embody ng my improvements.

Fig. II is anelevation of the structure as viewed from the left of Fig. I; and Fig. III is a plan section on a larger scale taken as indicated by the arrowsIIIIII in Fig. I. i v

The post indicated at 4, is removably sustained in a sunken scket5, which, in the present instance, is equipped with an anchorage plate 6 capable of resisting the constant strain of the net 7. Tothe top of the post 4 is secured a fitting 8 affording bearings for a sheave 9 over and about which the net rope 10 passes for connection to the tensioning devicecomprehensively indicated at 11.

handle is swung from the'dottedto-the full lineposition in Fig. I, it will ,be observed that it and the link 17;.functi0n after.

the manner of a toggle couple todraw upon the net rope 10. The closed or normal po cooperating stop shoulders at opposite sides of the arm 13 of the collar 12. When the lever handle 15 is in this position, it will be observed that the yoked link 17 assumes, an angular positionto the inside of the ful-.

cruni center 14, andis thus elfectivelyheld against outward displacement by the tension of the rope 10 so that the net 7 is thereafter itnaintained in the desired stretched condiion. i

In order to compensate from time to time for the permanent set or stretch in the rope 10 due to the strain to which it is constantly subjected, provision is made for shifting the.

tending to press it inward. I By this arrange- .sition of the lever handle 15 is determined by engagement of its clevis cheeks 19 with ment, the pin 21 may be selectivelyenga-ged with longitud nally spaced indentations or holes 24 in the post 4'in accordance with the y slack required to be taken up, whereupon the lever handle 15 is manipulated, as previously explained, to place the net 7 under the desired tension. The interlock established by the means just described insures the tensionting device against shifting -or slipping as the lever handle 15 is moved to the down or closed position. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim: I

1. In apparatus for-supporting lawn tennis nets'and the like, the combination of a post having a series of longitudinally spaced 1 indentations and a toggle net-tensioning device, and a spring-influenced pin included in the tensioning device adapted to engage the post indentations to lock said device in adjustedposition. V r

2. In apparatus for supporting lawn tennis nets and the like, the combination of a post having a longitudinally indented portion, an embracing collar carrying-a toggle net-tensioning means, and a spring-influenced retractable pm in said collar vco-operative with the indented portion of the post in maintaining the net in adjusted position.

3. In apparatus for supporting lawn tennis nets and the like, the combination of a post having a series of longitudinally spaced indentations, and a toggle net-tensioning device including a retractable spring-influenced pin for engaging the indentations to rigidly lock said net-tensioning device in adjusted positions along the post.

at. In apparatus for supporting lawn tennis nets and the like, the combination of a post and a net-tensioning device including a collar adapted for positive locking on said post at ditlerent adjustments, a handle iulcrumed on the collar, and a pivotally-at- MOSES R. LANE. 

